University of North Florida
Third Place Game vs. Valparaiso
UNF pushes Valpo, comes up short
12/30/2008 7:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kayla Mobley posts double-double, earns all-tournament spot
Box Score
Pennsylvania Blog
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (Dec. 30, 2008) – The University of North Florida women's basketball team put together a strong effort against Valparaiso in the consolation game of the Christmas City Tournament but fell just short in a 58-49 loss.
UNF (2-9) gave a Valpo (5-5) team that has victories against ranked opponents Florida State and Purdue this year all it could handle, but couldn't fend off a 12-0 run in the second half that ultimately put the Crusaders over the top.
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Kayla Mobley finished the game with a double-double for the Lady Ospreys, scoring 10 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Mobley was the only UNF player to score in double figures in the tournament, as UNF spread the offensive wealth around with all nine players who saw action in the game scoring at least two points. That effort helped Mobley earn all-tournament honors.
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The Crusaders ultimately put the contest away at the free throw line, hitting 18-of-23 shots from the line in the second half, compared to UNF which hit 10-of-15 for the game. Â
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Valparaiso's Aimee Litka led all players with 12 points in the game.
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UNF played Valparaiso even in the first half before coming out of the gates quick in the second half taking a 26-24 lead thanks to a 3-point heave out of the hands of Brittany Kirkland that found the bottom of the net as the shot clock expired. That helped the Lady Ospreys eventually take a 30-24 lead.
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Mobley pushed the Lady Ospreys lead back to six at 35-29 before sitting down with her third foul of the game. Arlande Cherizol also found herself on the bench with three fouls. The Crusaders took advantage of UNF's foul trouble, tying the game with six free throws in a row before eventually upping their lead to 41-36 thanks to a 12-0 run that Rachelle Rasley finally broke with a 3-pointer from the left corner. Rasley struck again from beyond the 3-point arc to make it a 47-41 contest near the six minute mark.
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That helped UNF put together a 6-0 run that eventually brought the Lady Ospreys within three points. Valpo was able to counter with a putback after a missed free throw and an Ashley Varner 3-pointer that pushed the Crusader lead to 52-44 with 1:27 to play.
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Valpo hit only 6-of-25 3-pointers in the game and shot 29.1 percent overall. UNF shot 28.3 percent for the game, cashing in on 18 second-chance points and 15 points off of turnovers. Â Â
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The Crusaders won the rebound battle 48-41 with Varner pulling down a team-high nine boards.
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The teams played to a 23-23 standstill at the half. UNF put the defensive clamps on Valpo early, holding the Crusaders to a shooting percentage in the teens during the first 10 minutes of play. Valpo hit four of its first 23 shots with the squads staying neck and neck with each other on the scoreboard. Â
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UNF took advantage of four blocks in the half and forced eight Crusader turnovers.
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The Crusaders managed to grab a four-point lead before a Rasley 3-pointer made it a 12-11 contest and a Cherizol turnaround jumper gave the Lady Ospreys the lead at 13-12. Jennifer Bowen's layup extended that advantage to 15-12 before the Crusaders went on a small run and took a 21-17 lead. UNF, however scored six of the half's final eight points thanks to a pair of Jennifer Guldager free throws that Kim Baker and Juliemay Syquio each followed up with jumpers to tie the game at 23-23.
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Eight of the nine Lady Ospreys that saw action in the half scored with Bowen and Syquio leading the team with four points apiece. Shennette Sheffield had three of UNF's four blocks to go along with four rebounds in the half. Sheffield finished the game with four blocks.
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The Crusaders' Aimee Litka led all players with seven points.
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The Lady Ospreys will be back in action on Jan. 3 when they head to USC Upstate for their conference road opener.
